Chapter Summary: The Shame of the Nation False Promises
Chapter Summary-
This chapter goes over the experience of being a teacher with the implementation of Higher Horizons and other programs to better conditions (grades, suspension, et cetera) within highly segregated schools within New York City. Higher Horizons, for instance, was a program within New York City that tried to increase spending per student ($50 more per pupil), and tried to train teachers to look for more from their students. In the beginning the program was working, but the budget, and thus spending, was cut from fifty dollars per student to twenty-seven dollars per student. Other cities, like Boston, had similar programs like Higher Horizons. The one in Boston was Operation Counterpoise. Another program, additionally in 1991 that was begun, was under George H. Bush. This program was America 2000, which was "'a nine year crusade' to radically reform the nation's schools." America 2000 failed, with its ideals fading into the "air." The last program Kozol mentions in this chapter is "No Child Left Behind", which was implemented in 2002 by George W. Bush. This program was based off of his father's program America 2000, and has been a very controversial issue. These programs that Kozol discussed in the chapter give an overview of some of the programs America has tried to implement to improve segregated schools in urban settings.
1. What is the significance of the chapter's title?
All of these programs are set to initiate change but external and internal factors lead to these programs failing and the promises, that are implied withing the programs, are failing or are never realized.
2. What historical events, terms, ideas, or concepts are mentioned in this chapter that you feel you need to understand more clearly in order to fully appreciate the text?
Higher Horizon, America 2000, No Child Left Behind, Operation Counterpoise.
3. What questions does this chapter lead you to ask about public schools in Rhode Island?
Are there any programs similar to the ones mentioned in the chapter in implementation within Rhode Island?
4. What questions does this chapter make you ask about current trends, issues, and or reform strategies that are happening currently in American public schools?
Are the reform ideas that are being implemented by President Obama doomed to fail? Will any of the promises within these reform ideas ever come to fruition?
5. If we could ask Rhode Island teachers some questions about school conditions, what might we ask them based on this chapter?
Between Ex-President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" and President Obama's "Race To The Top," which has created the most positive change within the Rhode Island school system?
6. If we could ask Rhode Island students some questions about school conditions, what might we ask them based on this chapter?
Do the students of Rhode Island know what programs are affecting them every day within school and how they continue to affect them?
False Promises
Chapter Summary-
This chapter goes over the experience of being a teacher with the implementation of Higher Horizons and other programs to better conditions (grades, suspension, et cetera) within highly segregated schools within New York City. Higher Horizons, for instance, was a program within New York City that tried to increase spending per student ($50 more per pupil), and tried to train teachers to look for more from their students. In the beginning the program was working, but the budget, and thus spending, was cut from fifty dollars per student to twenty-seven dollars per student. Other cities, like Boston, had similar programs like Higher Horizons. The one in Boston was Operation Counterpoise. Another program, additionally in 1991 that was begun, was under George H. Bush. This program was America 2000, which was "'a nine year crusade' to radically reform the nation's schools." America 2000 failed, with its ideals fading into the "air." The last program Kozol mentions in this chapter is "No Child Left Behind", which was implemented in 2002 by George W. Bush. This program was based off of his father's program America 2000, and has been a very controversial issue. These programs that Kozol discussed in the chapter give an overview of some of the programs America has tried to implement to improve segregated schools in urban settings.
1. What is the significance of the chapter's title?
All of these programs are set to initiate change but external and internal factors lead to these programs failing and the promises, that are implied withing the programs, are failing or are never realized.
2. What historical events, terms, ideas, or concepts are mentioned in this chapter that you feel you need to understand more clearly in order to fully appreciate the text?
Higher Horizon, America 2000, No Child Left Behind, Operation Counterpoise.
3. What questions does this chapter lead you to ask about public schools in Rhode Island?
Are there any programs similar to the ones mentioned in the chapter in implementation within Rhode Island?
4. What questions does this chapter make you ask about current trends, issues, and or reform strategies that are happening currently in American public schools?
Are the reform ideas that are being implemented by President Obama doomed to fail? Will any of the promises within these reform ideas ever come to fruition?
5. If we could ask Rhode Island teachers some questions about school conditions, what might we ask them based on this chapter?
Between Ex-President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" and President Obama's "Race To The Top," which has created the most positive change within the Rhode Island school system?
6. If we could ask Rhode Island students some questions about school conditions, what might we ask them based on this chapter?
Do the students of Rhode Island know what programs are affecting them every day within school and how they continue to affect them?